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HOW social media posts could cost you your job

HOW social media posts could cost you your job

South African employees are quickly learning that their online activity – even outside of work hours – can have serious consequences in the workplace, as recent legal rulings confirm that social media posts made on personal profiles can lead to dismissal.
The Labour Court recently upheld the dismissal of an employee who made racial and derogatory posts on Facebook while on holiday.
The court found that the posts exposed the employer to reputational harm, especially as the employee's profile clearly listed their place of work.
Legal experts are warning workers to be cautious.
Emma Sadleir, a digital law specialist, said South African law is 'catching up with workers' by actively holding them accountable for inappropriate online behaviour.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has also shown consistency in similar cases, ruling that if social media posts bring an employer into disrepute, dismissal may be justified – regardless of whether the post was made during personal time.
With the increasing prevalence of remote work, the line between professional and personal online activity is becoming increasingly blurred.
'There is no such thing as a strict separation between personal and professional identity online,' experts caution.
Employees are urged to think twice before posting, particularly if there is a chance the content could damage their employer's reputation or raise a conflict of interest.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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30% US tariff hike impact on South African economy
30% US tariff hike impact on South African economy

IOL News

time15 minutes ago

  • IOL News

30% US tariff hike impact on South African economy

South Africa will be hit with a 30% tariff on all its exports to the United States from August 1, following a formal letter from US President Donald Trump to President Cyril Ramaphosa demanding action on trade imbalances and long-standing market restrictions. Image: Lee Rondganger/IOL RECENT developments in international trade policies have culminated in a significant 30% tariff hike imposed by the United States on South African exports. Such a substantial increase in tariffs is poised to ripple through South Africa's economic fabric, affecting everything from corporate profitability and employment to currency stability and monetary policy. For SA, a country intricately linked to global commodity markets and sensitive to trade disruptions, this move presents both immediate and long-term challenges. The imposition of this 30% tariff by the United States on a broad range of South African imports, effective from August 1, 2025, marks a pivotal and concerning shift in bilateral trade relations. While specific sectors like Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), gold, chrome, and coal are explicitly exempted, and others like automotive and steel/aluminium face different, often higher, rates, this move effectively signals the end of South Africa's preferential access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 1. Direct impact on South African businesses The SA economy relies heavily on exports, notably minerals (platinum, gold, chrome), agricultural products, and manufactured goods. The imposition of a 30% tariff increase by the US significantly raises the cost of these exports, making South African goods less competitive in the American market. This threat could translate into a decrease in US demand, potentially translating to a decline in sales volumes and revenue for industries for us, given that the US constitutes a key export destination, such as mining and manufacturing. Higher tariffs raise the cost for American importers of South African goods, which often leads to reduced demand or a need to absorb cost increases to maintain market share. For exporters, lower sales directly affect profit margins, potentially forcing cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, which increase domestic unemployment. Small and medium-sized businesses, with less financial resilience, are particularly vulnerable, risking closures amid decreased revenues and potentially an increase in the number of bankruptcies. Several South African industries rely on imported components or intermediate goods from the US or elsewhere. Increased tariffs may compound costs, disrupt supply chains and delay production schedules. Over the medium term, uncertainty regarding trade policies could dampen investment as firms defer expansion or modernisation plans due to unpredictable export conditions. The broader economy also faces indirect effects: reduced foreign exchange earnings can constrain government revenues, limit funding for social and infrastructural projects, and slow economic growth. As exports shrink, the trade balance deteriorates, causing economic activity to decline. 2. Currency dynamics: impact on the rand and the dollar In the short term, the rand typically depreciates in response to negative trade news and waning investor confidence. A 30% tariff hike by the US suggests decreased demand for South African exports, leading to a decline in dollar-denominated inflows. Capital markets may react swiftly, with foreign investors withdrawing or re-evaluating holdings, seeking safer assets. The rand/dollar exchange rate will likely weaken, potentially breaching key support levels, especially if the tariff hike leads to fears of a broader trade conflict or economic downturn. The extent of depreciation depends on market sentiment, existing macroeconomic fundamentals, and the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) interventions. Continuous depreciations could also escalate, feeding into inflationary regarding US trade policy stability could potentially increase volatility and increase speculative activity in the rand. This uncertainty complicates businesses' hedging strategies and raises the cost of imported goods and capital. 3. Inflationary pressures A weaker rand increases the cost of imported goods and raw materials, directly fuelling inflation if domestic producers pass on higher costs to consumers. The inflationary impact could be significant for South Africa, which relies heavily on imported machinery, fuel, and components. Higher input costs translate into increased prices for domestically produced goods and services, especially in manufacturing, construction, and transportation sectors. This scenario risks triggering a wage-price spiral if inflation expectations become entrenched. The combined effect of imported inflation, increased transportation costs due to weaker currency, and possible supply chain disruptions can lead to a broad-based rise in consumer prices, eroding purchasing power, especially for lower-income households. 4. Monetary policy and interest rate trajectories To counter mounting inflationary pressures, the SARB may consider tightening monetary policy. An increase in interest rates could be employed to anchor inflation expectations, stabilise the currency, and prevent inflation from becoming higher interest rates could dampen economic growth, exacerbate unemployment, and strain indebted borrowers. The delicate balance requires careful calibration, especially given the inflationary impetus from currency depreciation. The tariff increase may lead to rand weakness and potentially a lower demand for SA goods and services, hurting mid-sized businesses the most. These economic changes are likely to impact jobs, leading to an increase in domestic inflation and higher interest rates. Advocate Lavan Gopaul Image: File Advocate Lavan Gopaul is the director of Merchant Afrika. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST

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Business & Finance Archives

The South African

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  • The South African

Business & Finance Archives

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How private land is outpacing national parks in supporting South Africa's wildlife
How private land is outpacing national parks in supporting South Africa's wildlife

IOL News

timean hour ago

  • IOL News

How private land is outpacing national parks in supporting South Africa's wildlife

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge. Image: Supplied Private land now hosts more of South Africa's wildlife population than national parks. This is according to a new study led by Professor Peet van der Merwe and Professor Andrea Saayman from the North-West University titled, 'Assessing the contributions of hunting tourism to the South African economy: a post‑Covid analysis,' which calculates hunting tourism's annual contribution to South Africa's economy at a staggering USD2.5 billion(about R44.03 billion). They said the figure is not just large, but transformative. The study argues that hunting revenue has underwritten significant rewilding efforts. The researchers also point to a powerful conservation dividend. They said, contrary to popular belief, regulated hunting creates financial incentives for landowners to protect and repopulate wild species. Without such incentives, they said, many might revert to traditional farming, leading to habitat loss and diminished biodiversity. The analysis said hunting tourism's lifeblood flows into rural economies, often bypassed by mainstream tourism. It said provinces like Limpopo benefit enormously from the inflow, with private game farms-many converted from struggling livestock operations-thriving through sustainable use. The professors said perhaps the most striking finding is employment, as approximately 95 000 jobs in South Africa depended on hunting tourism. Many of these roles, such as trackers, farm hands and cleaners, require limited formal education, making the sector a vital source of income in a country grappling with a 32.9% unemployment rate. Over 60% of these jobs fall within low-skilled categories, underscoring hunting tourism's outsized impact on South Africa's most vulnerable workers. While to some, hunting remains morally fraught, this study emphasises that economic survival for many rural communities hinges on this industry. Importantly, its authors said the research does not gloss over ethical concerns. Instead, they said it calls for measured policy, recognising hunting tourism's proven contribution to jobs, conservation and poverty alleviation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Moreover, they said the sector's resilience post-Covid is telling as international travel resumes, South Africa has found in hunting tourism a niche that not only endures but thrives. They said this speaks to a broader shift in post-pandemic tourism: towards immersive, exclusive, and at times, controversial experiences. With sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and logistics all feeding off the hunting economy, the study urges policymakers to acknowledge and protect this value chain. It said that legislation around land use, conservation and hunting quotas must be grounded in economic realities and not mere ideological preferences. They said that missteps in that regard could jeopardise both wildlife and livelihoods. 'Hunting tourism may not be everyone's idea of a sustainable economy. Yet, in South Africa's post-pandemic landscape, it is delivering where others have faltered. It supports rural economies, funds conservation, and employs tens of thousands, many of them low-income workers with few alternatives.' The professors said that in a world seeking green growth with social equity, the rifle may be a more unexpected ally than critics cared to admit. Local hunters, who are mostly middle-aged men from provinces like Gauteng, make up the bulk of this economic activity. With each local hunter spending an average of USD3,594 per season, their collective annual spend tops USD718 million. International hunters, often affluent retirees from the United States, spend far more per trip, an average of USD32,663. primarily on game, trophies, accommodation, and daily rates. Though fewer in number, their spending adds another USD169 million to the tally. But the study said the significance goes beyond raw expenditure. It said that employing a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), the researchers found a production multiplier of 2.97. In lay terms: for every USD1 spent, an additional USD1.97 is generated in economic activity. The ripple effect spreads across agriculture, trade, accommodation, transport, and personal services. Delivering the Department of Tourism Budget Vote last week, Minister Patricia de Lille said over the past financial year 2024/25, South Africa experienced an upswing in tourism, with an increase in international visitors, reaching a peak of 9.1 million. She said domestic overnight travel continued its upward trajectory, with 40 million trips recorded, up from 37.7 million in the previous year. International tourists contributed a total foreign direct spend of R92.8 billion in the previous financial year, while domestic tourism grew by 7.6%, reaching R133.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. On a policy level, the department said it completed and implemented the Tourism Master Plan and finalised the Tourism White Paper and Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan.

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